Whether you’re constructing a new home or remodeling an old one, you have a valuable chance to design a bathroom that’s both stunning and easy to clean and maintain.
Design tips for an easy-clean bathroom. Bathrooms are among the hardest-working areas in the home, yet when designing a dream bathroom, aesthetics often take precedence.
Considerations for cleaning and maintenance are often secondary, which can lead to regret after just a few weeks of use.
The frequency and depth of bathroom cleaning are directly influenced by its design, including layout and fixtures. Getting it right is crucial.
Wet rooms, in particular, can cause maintenance and hygiene issues due to the constant moisture present in these spaces.
“If you design a bathroom to be easily maintained from the start, you’re working smarter, not harder, and will live a happier life,” said Kim Masters, bathroom design expert and co-owner of The Bathroom Guide.
“Proper design reduces risks like mould growth and moisture accumulation in unwanted areas. This helps prevent grout deterioration, leaks, and other problems.”
Masters and her builder partner have crafted numerous bathrooms. They’ve curated their top 10 easy-clean bathroom tips for transformative design.
Avoid tight spaces to incorporate Design tips for an easy-clean bathroom.
Layout and spatial planning, along with the choice of fixtures and fittings like wall-mounted tapware, greatly impact long-term convenience.
“Tight spaces pose cleaning challenges and tend to trap dust, dirt, and moisture,” Masters explained.
During the design phase, prioritize creating ample space around all fixtures to avoid hard-to-reach areas.
By doing so, you ensure that grime does not accumulate, making the bathroom easier to maintain and clean over time.
Opt for large-format tiles.
“Large-format tiles are ideal for bathrooms, particularly in wet areas like showers. Smaller tiles involve more grout, attracting dirt and mould.
In contrast, larger tiles have fewer grout lines, making cleaning significantly easier,” Masters explained.
She recommends a minimum size of 600 x 600mm for large-format tiles.
While smaller feature tiles can still be used, limit them to less frequently used areas or from mid-wall and up.
Forget floor-to-ceiling feature tiles in shower areas
“While feature tiles can enhance a bathroom’s aesthetic, extending them from floor to ceiling in a shower area may increase cleaning time.
This is due to the additional grout lines that can accumulate dirt and moisture,” Masters explained.
Instead, consider tiling the bottom half of the shower with large-format tiles and using feature tiles only on the top half.
This approach reduces grout lines in high-moisture areas, making cleaning easier while maintaining visual appeal.
Additionally, Masters suggests using a full shelf in the shower instead of a niche.
This shelf provides a functional space for shower products and acts as a natural separator between tile choices.
The bottom half and shelf can be tiled with large-format tiles for easy cleaning, while feature tiles remain at eye level.
Back-to-wall, corner, and built-in baths.
Design tips for an easy-clean bathroom show how bath design impacts cleaning time. Freestanding baths are attractive but challenging to clean.
Due to space around them, freestanding baths require more effort for cleaning, as dust and debris accumulate easily.
Back-to-wall baths are a better choice. They eliminate the gap behind the bath where dust and debris gather.
Corner baths improve on this by removing gaps between the bath and walls on multiple sides, simplifying cleaning.
Built-in baths are the ideal solution. They have no gaps around them, greatly reducing cleaning needs and can be stylishly tiled.
Consider installing partition or nib walls rather than shower glass.
Glass shower screens are notoriously difficult to clean, attracting soap scum, water stains, and fingerprints, which complicates maintenance tasks.
Reducing or eliminating glass from your bathroom design can dramatically cut down on cleaning time and overall effort required.
“Consider a tiled partition wall instead of a full glass shower screen,” explained Masters, to avoid the need for glass cleaning.
These partition walls work best in bathrooms with windows and natural light, enhancing both cleanliness and the space’s overall appeal.
“Ensure you do not block natural light by enclosing your shower space with a partition wall. If light is lost, consider a feature LED ceiling recessed strip light.”
A partition wall is ideal in spaces with ample natural light. If this is a concern, there is an alternative solution.
“Alternatively, a half-height nib wall with glass on the upper portion is preferable. Soap scum collects more at the bottom,” Masters explained.
This approach combines the benefits of a partition with a solution that allows natural light to flow unobstructed, enhancing the bathroom’s overall ambiance.
Avoid high-maintenance finishes
Certain finishes may look attractive but can be harder to maintain in a bathroom, impacting the overall longevity of your space.
“Natural stone surfaces require regular sealing to prevent staining and water damage. This adds extra maintenance and cost,” said Masters.
While natural stone benchtops and tiles, like marble or travertine, are beautiful, they are also costly and fragile. Proper sealing is crucial.
If natural stone isn’t sealed regularly, it will absorb moisture and stains and may chip or crack over time.
Porcelain tiles are the most durable option, followed by ceramic tiles, which offer better resistance and ease of maintenance.
“Brushed finishes on tapware show fingerprints and watermarks more easily than polished ones, requiring more frequent cleaning. Consider this before choosing,” advised Masters.
Masters and her team recommend matte, chrome, and stainless steel finishes for their timeless appeal and ease of cleaning.
Install a handheld shower head
The trend of choosing a fixed shower head and mixer over a handheld shower head is one Masters does not recommend.
“Handheld shower heads offer significant convenience for personal use and cleaning tasks. They make it easy to rinse shower walls.”
Additionally, handheld shower heads help effectively wash away soap scum and dirt from floors and corners. This aids in maintaining cleanliness.
Thus, incorporating a handheld shower head is a simple addition that can greatly enhance your ability to keep your shower clean.
Opt for wall-mounted fixtures.
Wall-mounted fixtures are not only minimal and sleek, complementing various bathroom design styles, but also significantly simplify cleaning tasks.
“Wall-mounted faucets and tapware are much easier to clean compared to countertop-mounted fixtures,” said Masters. This ease of maintenance is a key benefit.
These fixtures free up counter space, allowing for easier surface cleaning without obstructions. They also prevent water buildup around the base.
Additionally, wall-mounted fixtures help avoid common grime and mould issues found around countertop-mounted fixtures.
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Ensure proper ventilation.
Proper ventilation is essential for reducing moisture buildup, which can cause mould and mildew issues.
“Effective ventilation helps maintain a dry and fresh bathroom environment,” said Masters.
“Installing a powerful exhaust fan or adding a new window enhances air circulation. This reduces the need for frequent deep cleaning over time.”
Which toilet design is the easiest to clean?
While you might spend a lot of time using a toilet, you probably don’t think much about its design.
Some designs create gaps between the base and wall, which can make cleaning difficult. It’s best to avoid these.
Instead, opt for a back-to-wall design that eliminates unnecessary crevices and makes cleaning easier.
“Our default recommendation is a classic, high-quality back-to-wall closed coupled toilet,” said Masters. These are both easy to clean and repair.
Newer in-wall cistern models look modern but can be problematic for maintenance. Accessing components within the wall is challenging.
Rimless toilets are another option. They eliminate the traditional rim, using a flushing system that covers more surface area, making them more hygienic.
Therefore, the easiest-to-clean toilet option would be a back-to-wall closed coupled rimless toilet suite.
However, Masters’ top choice is Japanese Toto toilets, if budget allows. They feature multiple cleaning settings and a bidet function.
